Category Archives: Uncategorized

Rwanda – Contaminated Kenyan Food Products Removed From Shelves – Aflatoxin

Posted on November 13, 2019 by | Leave a comment

All Africa

Rwanda has banned several Kenyan-produced peanut butter and maize flower brands from its market following their recall by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) due to high levels of aflatoxins.

Aflatoxins are poisonous carcinogens that are produced by certain molds which grow in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, and grains.

According to Rwanda Foods and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA),the products were found on the Rwandan market and necessary measures were taken immediately.

“In our inspection, today, we also seized and quarantined over 100 of those products and so now we have notified the sellers about those products. Those products should be returned to the distributors,” Dr Charles Karangwa, Acting Director General at Rwanda FDA, told The New Times.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Uncategorized

Australia – Fifteen people Australia-wide hit with Salmonella after Core Powerfoods recall

Posted on November 13, 2019 by | Leave a comment

7 News.com

Fifteen people have been struck with salmonella following a national recall of frozen meals sold at Coles and IGA supermarkets.

Core Powerfoods issued a recall of their frozen meals, including the 310g or 350g Going Nuts, Deep South Chilli, Muay Thai Meatballs, Holy Meatballs, Naked Chicken, Seismic Chicken, Old School, and Smokey Mountain Meatballs.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Salmonella, Uncategorized

USA – Kowalski’s, Amazon, Crazy Fresh Entrees Recalled For Possible Listeria

Posted on November 13, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Kowalski’s, Amazon, Crazy Fresh Entrees Recalled For Possible Listeria
November 11, 2019 by  Leave a Comment

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is issuing a public health alert for Kowalski’s, Amazon, and Crazy Fresh entrees recalled for Listeria monocytogenes contamination. They contain ingredients recalled by Mann Packing Co. in October 2019. There have been no report of adverse reactions or illness associated with the consumption of these products.

The entrees recalled for Listeria  include:

  • 12 ounce sealed plastic trays containing “CRAZY FRESH Quick & Easy Broccoli Cheddar with Bacon” with sell by dates of 10/13/19 – 11/08/19 represented on the label.
  • 12 ounce sealed plastic trays containing “KOWALSKI’S Quick & Easy Broccoli Cheddar with Bacon” with sell by dates of 10/13/19 – 11/08/19 represented on the label.
  • 12 ounce sealed plastic trays containing “quick & easy Meals Quick & Easy Broccoli Cheddar with Bacon” with sell by dates of 10/13/19 – 11/08/19 represented on the label.
  • 15.8 ounce clear plastic clamshell packages containing “BUTTER CHICKEN amazon go Butter Chicken with Turmeric Rice” with best by dates through November 6, 2019 represented on the label.
  • 13.05 ounce plastic clamshell packages containing “BROCCOLI CRUNCH POWER BOWL amazon go BROCCOLI CRUNCH POWER BOWL WITH CHICKEN” with best by dates through November 6, 2019 represented on the label.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

USA – Taher Voluntarily Recalls Veggie & Ranch Cups With Cauliflower Because of Possible Health Risk

Posted on November 13, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Taher, Inc., in conjunction with Mann Packing Co., as part of a multi-state recall due to the potential risk of Listeria monocytogenes, in an abundance of caution is announcing a voluntary recall of vegetable cups served in select locations in Minnesota.

This recall impacts only the 7.5oz Fresh Seasons Kitchen Veggie & Ranch Cup containing cauliflower sold between October 30, 2019 and November 4, 2019 in select cafeterias and vending machines in Minnesota. The cup has a UPC number of 8 10106 020334 and a sell by date of November 11, 2019.

No illnesses or injuries have been reported to date in connection with either the Mann Packing Co. or Taher, Inc. voluntary recall. These products have been recalled out of an abundance of caution.

Customers who have questions about the recall can contact Taher, Inc. at 952-945-0505 or email communications@taher.com.

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Taher
 952-945-0505
 communications@taher.com
Media:
Jill Teut
 612- 708-0350

Product Photos

  • Product image Fresh Seasons Kitchen Fresh Veggie & Ranch Cup

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Uncategorized

Europe – Yersiniosis – Annual Epidemiological Report for 2018

Posted on November 12, 2019 by | Leave a comment

ECDC European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

For 2018, 29 countries reported 7 204 confirmed yersiniosis cases in the EU/EEA.  The overall notification rate was 1.7 per 100 000 population and remained stable from 2014 to 2018. The highest rates were reported by Finland, Belgium and the Czech Republic. The highest rate was detected in 0-4 year-old children; 7.9 per 100 000 population for males and 6.8 per 100 000 population for females.

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Yersiniosis – Annual Epidemiological Report for 2018 – EN – [PDF-618.74 KB]

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Posted in ECDC, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Testing, Research, Uncategorized, Yersinia, yersinia enterocolitica

Research – Modulation of flagellar rotation in surface-attached bacteria: A pathway for rapid surface-sensing after flagellar attachment

Posted on November 12, 2019 by | Leave a comment

PLOS

Abstract

Attachment is a necessary first step in bacterial commitment to surface-associated behaviors that include colonization, biofilm formation, and host-directed virulence. The Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can initially attach to surfaces via its single polar flagellum. Although many bacteria quickly detach, some become irreversibly attached and express surface-associated structures, such as Type IV pili, and behaviors, including twitching motility and biofilm initiation. P. aeruginosa that lack the GTPase FlhF assemble a randomly placed flagellum that is motile; however, we observed that these mutant bacteria show defects in biofilm formation comparable to those seen for non-motile, aflagellate bacteria. This phenotype was associated with altered behavior of ΔflhF bacteria immediately following surface-attachment. Forward and reverse genetic screens led to the discovery that FlhF interacts with FimV to control flagellar rotation at a surface, and implicated cAMP signaling in this pathway. Although cAMP controls many transcriptional programs in P. aeruginosa, known targets of this second messenger were not required to modulate flagellar rotation in surface-attached bacteria. Instead, alterations in switching behavior of the motor appeared to result from direct or indirect effects of cAMP on switch complex proteins and/or the stators associated with them.

Author summary

Attachment to a surface often triggers programs of gene expression that alter the behavior, virulence and fitness of bacteria. Initial contact is usually mediated by surface exposed adhesins, such as flagella or pili/fimbriae, and there is much interest in how these structures might sense and respond to surface attachment. The human bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can initially contact surfaces via its polar flagellum, the structure that also powers bacterial swimming. We observed that wild-type bacteria quickly stopped rotating their flagellum after surface attachment, but that a mutant lacking the flagellar-associated protein FlhF did not. Using a combination of genetic approaches, we demonstrated that FlhF interacts with a component of the flagellar rotor (FliG) and with a polar scaffolding protein that positively regulates cAMP production (FimV) to stop flagellar rotation and thereby favor bacterial persistence at a surface. We provide evidence that the second messenger cAMP is the likely signal generated by flagellar-mediated surface attachment and show that cAMP is sufficient to alter the behavior of the flagellar motor.

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Posted in Biofilm, Flagella, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, Pseudomonas, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Research, Technology, Uncategorized

USA- Omaha is having a Hepatitis A problem

Posted on November 11, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Nebraska state and local health officials are investigating five cases of hepatitis A in the Omaha metro area.

The five cases have been reported within the past three weeks, with symptom onset between October 15 and November 5. That means the five likely were exposed in mid-September, Adi Pour, director of the Douglas County Health Department, said Friday.

The five, all female, range in age from 14 to 73. Three of the five were hospitalized. Two have been released; health officials don’t know the status of the third hospitalized person.

Pour said health officials so far have not identified a product or place connecting the individuals. They are spread throughout the community and have not had any known contact with one another. Health officials have excluded international travel and shared needles as possible routes of transmission.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus

USA – Three infected after eating ground beef from grocery store meat counters – E.col iO157

Posted on November 11, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

kswfoodworld E.coli O157

Image CDC

 

At least three people are sick with E. coli O157:H7 infections after eating ground beef sold by New Seasons Market stores. The retailer is recalling an unrevealed amount of meat.

Although the implicated ground beef was sold between Oct. 19 and 23, there is concern that some people may have it in their home freezers. The Oregon Health Authority issued a public notice urging customers who purchased the ground beef to throw it away immediately.

The recalled ground beef comes in 5 percent, 10 percent and 20 percent fat content varieties and is ground at individual New Seasons Market stores’ meat counters. The retailer has stores in Oregon, Washington and California.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized

Kenya – Kenya: Kebs Recalls Five Maize Meal Brands Over High Aflatoxin Levels

Posted on November 11, 2019 by | Leave a comment

All Africa

Nairobi — The Kenya Bureau of Standard has suspended five maize flour brands from the market citing high levels of aflatoxin.

In a statement released Saturday, KEBS says Dola Maize Meal, Kifaru Maize Meal, Starehe Maize Meal, 210 Maize Meal, Jembe Maize Meal have been suspended following several tests done by the regulator.

“Following consistent market surveillance and testing, it has been established that the brands have not made the cut because their levels of aflatoxin are higher than the maximum limit allowed by relevant Kenya Standards,” reads the statement.

KEBS has also instructed the manufacturers to discontinue manufacturing and recall them from the market while instituting corrective neasures.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, mold, Mould Toxin, Moulds, Mycotoxin, Uncategorized

USA – Ezzo Sausage Company Recalls Meat Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Posted on November 11, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FSIS USDA USDA

Ezzo Sausage Company, a Columbus, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 25,115 pounds of sausage products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The ready-to-eat sausage products were produced on Oct. 29, 2019, Oct. 30, 2019 and Nov. 5, 2019.  This spreadsheet contains a list of the products subject to the recall. [View labels (PDF only)

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 1838A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to distribution centers in Indiana and Ohio.

The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS of a positive sample result for Listeria monocytogenes.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized, USDA